What's Up Wednesday

I think I mentioned last week that my stepmom is back from Florida, so I'm not getting much saddle time. I do get weekends though! So I was able to get some time in with Eros Saturday and Sunday. He was perfect as usual! But we were stuck indoors due to the ridiculous rain.
One thing I really like about the boarding barn is that they don't close for holidays. So it was like a normal day there on Sunday. I went a little early because I had plans later, but not by any means actually early. Probably around 9? Eros was certain it was too early.

This was pre-ride...

 Rio had plenty of attention this weekend too, with some grazing time and lots of groomies.

I got him a new fly sheet for grazing, but it's actually a bit too small. If/when I find a pony and have to order stuff for that one, I think I may get him the next size up. It's from Big D, so they tend to run a little small. I forgot about that.

In non-horsey news, I did a lot of eating this weekend. A LOT. Saturday night my mom hosted our Passover Seder. It was like old times, just me, my brother, and mom. My sis-in-law and the kids went to Florida for the school vacation, but my brother had to stay here and work. It was lovely though. I brought the short kids with me, and they had fun too.

Family portrait with my brother in the back

Sunday, after my early-ish ride on Eros, I went with my dad, stepmom, and brother to visit my little brother's grandma for Easter. Little Bro couldn't make it unfortunately. He makes maple syrup in VT and this is his busy season. It was a lovely dinner, and my stepmom even made everything Passover friendly. So thoughtful! For some reason though, I got no media whatsoever. Which is really unfortunate. Little bro's grandma is 99, so not sure how many more times we'll do holidays with her.

Since we ate early Sunday, I was home by five to feed Rio. And then the puggers got to have a super fun play date with my neighbor's pug, her boyfriend's frenchie, and the two puppies she is fostering. It was short dog chaos, but so fun!

So much butt sniffing.

Yesterday was Rio's 23rd birthday! Since he turned 23 on the 23rd, this is his Golden Birthday, and I got him an appropriate birthday sash... and a crown of course.

Seriously, this crown though...

I can't... hahaha! Poor Rio. But also, cutest ever, right? For anyone wondering it came from Amazon, and I think it's for babies. But also horses.

I thought I'd be the best mom and hand chop some of his actual hay so he could swallow it instead of spitting it out as a hay cigar. Apparently though, after a solid 30 minutes of cutting up hay, he wasn't that into it. It smelled good though.

And then I gave him the appropriate birthday dinner full of snacks.

And that's really all that's going on this week! I have a couple of ponies/honies I've found that seem interesting, so hopefully I'll have something to share on that front soon! Waiting on some info for my front runner.

What's up with you guys? Did you have a good week? Celebrate any holidays this weekend?

What's Up Wednesday

Wanna know what's up this Wednesday?! It's Badger's Birthday! He's six today. Six going on 2... Ha. I have only ridden him once since he got up north and it's killing me. Hopefully I'll ride Sunday. Fingers crossed.

In other news, it was a fun non-horsey weekend, but before I left for Nantucket, I did get to jump Jampy around a little. You guys, I honestly think he's forgotten how to jump:

Um? What is that even? We also had one moment of slow motion twirling:

But by the end he was a little better:

He's definitely not very strong behind, so we need to work on that. Probably some gymnastics will get that front end sharper too. But so far, he's staying pretty sound! I'm going to maybe pop over some little jumps tonight, and I have a friend coming to hang out Thursday, so hopefully we can put the jumps up a little then. I'd really like to get him to a one day show in the near future and try and get my medals before it's too late.

The other boys are doing well too! I don't talk much about my failures with Romey, but I've pretty much just been walk trotting him this year. But we've been adding more canter in lately, and that's been pretty positive. He's honestly a really good boy, I just need to stop being such a chicken with him. Story of my life.

Rio is perfect as always! Monday I decided to see if he could still do lead changes with a human on him, and guess what?! Perfect changes, both directions. Le sigh. If only he could teach the other horses that come through the barn...

In semi exciting news, my gorgeous Fama Lusitano boots arrived while I was away! They're beautiful!

But alas, I really messed up the measurements. The foot is way too big, and the calf is a little big too. The good news though, the height is perfect. So at least that was better than the purple boots. (Face palm.) I just emailed the company this morning to see if there's anything to be done. If not, if anyone wears a 6 1/2 or 7, is fairly short with wide calves, I may have a deal for you!

I had a bunch of non horse fun while on Nantucket this past weekend. It was a really quick trip, but we managed to fit in a visit to the whaling museum:

Some wandering around town and shopping, which let us witness these guys pushing this van around:

And we got to see some baby ducks while we enjoyed ice cream:

My dad and step mom bought a house on Nantucket a few years ago. It's rented out most of the season, though my dad holds it open for Father's Day weekend so we can use it. Recently the house right next door went on the market, so they bought that one too. It will also be a rental. It's amazing to me how these homes rent out so quickly and for a pretty ridiculous amount of money per week. It's an incredible investment, in that these homes will each pay for themselves in about 10 years. Crazy. Anyway, I got to see the new house this weekend too. It was nice to have both. My brother and his family stayed in the second house so when the kids woke up at 5:30 am, we didn't all have to wake up!

First House

Second House

I wish we could have stayed another day, but it was nice to get home to the horses and my pups. Plus I had a really productive free Monday, so that was great too.

That's what's up this Wednesday! What's up with you? Any shows coming up? Or maybe non-horsey plans/trips?

What's up Wednesday!

I feel like it's been so long since last Wednesday, it's been THAT busy around here. As expected, it rained the second half of last week, so I didn't get to ride again until the weekend. But before the weekend happened, I finally went to my Dr for a follow up about my tummy troubles. He suspects ulcers, so switched me to Omeprazole (basically I'm on gastroguard). Life is enormously improved my friends! That stuff is amazing. So if you wonder if it really helps your horse, the answer is probably yes.
Thursday evening we had our monthly wine book club meeting. After that, I met up with my younger brother. He was in town just for the night, so we grabbed a quick drink.

Anyway, back to ponies.
Saturday was a long day. I had a first birthday to attend at 11, after running a few errands first.

It was very cute, with an alligator theme. Normally, I find these mid day parties a total drag during riding season, but it was raining still that morning, so it worked out ok. It was also still raining when I got home at 2, so I did some arts and crafts until it cleared up:

More pony bracelets!

Finally the rain stopped, and while half the ring was pretty wet, I had a solid half that was decent footing. So I got to work getting everyone out. Rio had a lunge, and I rode Jampy and Romey. Nothing too exciting to report from that day, since you know, puddles and 3 days off beforehand.
Ah but Sunday.... Sunday was BEAUTIFUL! Maybe a touch cool in the low 60's, but the sun was shining and the ring was dry. All good things, my friends.
I started Sunday riding Jamp. I climbed right on and started our walk around the ring. He seemed to be in a great frame of mind, and even willingly walked to the scary end with no drama. But then, on the way back toward the barn he saw IT. It was the bush next to the barn that had bloomed overnight. Apparently flowers are terrifying. You know, if you're Jamp. He paused mid step and had no idea how to proceed. He really wanted to whirl around and run the other way, but he also didn't want to run back to the scary end of the ring. So he just stood there like a deer in headlights, trembling. He is a special sort that Jampy. I decided to get off, walk him over to the flowers, and then toss him on a lunge line for minute. Definitely the right call. He was CRAZY! He actually bucked amidst his running around in circles. Finally he gave it up, and I was able to climb on and have a nice ride. We even "jumped" a few things!

totally ready for show season right?

After his ride, he had a nice warm shower, and sampled the spring grass. It really was the nicest weather!

The best thing about Sunday (besides the weather) was that it was Rio's 21st birthday! You all know how I feel about Rio's birthdays, so I was as usual, ridiculously excited to celebrate with him.
I decorated his stall and got him a delicious carrot cake:

And I may or may not have attached birthday tiaras to his halter and bridle.

Yep, looks like I did do that. He didn't seem to mind. I think he likes his birthday just as much as I do.  We had the BEST ride! Walk, trot, and canter BOTH ways!

Though I suppose these photos are both from the same direction. You'll just have to trust me. He felt fantastic! After "work" he too had a shower and then enjoyed the fresh grass for a bit.

Finally it was Romey's turn. He felt really good Sunday (finally). He even went forward for some of our ride. So miracles do happen!

Though clearly, not moving in this photo.

It was getting pretty cool by the time I got to him, so he skipped shower time and went straight to snack time.

Hey, if nothing else pans out, at least he looks great in the yard...

After pony time, I promised the short kids a walk. They were more interested in sniffing and peeing on everything than they were walking, but we got about a mile in.

Monday was a non exciting day. Work, then yoga, then more rain so no riding. I figured the kids were going to have a week off anyway while I'm in Florida, so what's one more day?
Tuesday I started my morning off dropping the short kids at Grandma's.

I had some free time, so I stopped at Starbucks for a coffee and my favorite sandwich shop for an egg and cheese:

Do I know how to start a vaca or what? So much yum in one meal.
Then it was time to finish up getting the boys ready for the week without me, and myself to the airport. Ugh, I got to the airport and there was no parking. They actually had to open up a special lot allllllll the way on the other side of the airport for people to park. I'm almost 100% sure my car will be stolen or broken into while I'm away. If I had to choose, I hope for stolen, it has a lot of miles on it. Anyway, finally I got to the airport, and got checked in. The flight was uneventful other than the guy behind me eating something that may or may not have died six weeks ago.
This morning I got up bright and early to see Badger!

We had a great ride today. I'm not sure if he's growing up, or if the 85 degrees had anything to do with it, but he was relaxed and listening the entire ride. Yay! I think tomorrow we may jump a little. I might get to ride some others too. I love vacation boot camp!
I also got to take Hermie out for her first ride since getting a new seat and billets. She feels amazing, and looks like a brand new saddle!

And that my friends, is what's up this Wednesday. I'm excited for some fun in the sun. I'm working in the afternoons (after pony time of course) but I can do that in the sunshine too.
What's up with you this Wednesday?

Truthful Tuesday!

So we're doing the Biggest Loser at work... and I've actually gained weight. Epic fail. I hope my teammate isn't trying too hard...

That's about all I have for confessions today. But I also want to wish my little Badger a happy 5th birthday!!

I'm not going to see him today, but hopefully trainer gives him an extra birthday carrot!

Happy Birthday Jamposaur!

Jampy turned 17 today! Because I'm a terrible mother, I did not plan ahead and order him a horse cake like I did for Rio last year. But I DID get him a carrot cake at the store tonight:

There was enough to share, but Jampy was the only one who actually liked the cake. I had to scrape the frosting off (horses aren't that into cream cheese frosting... go figure!) but he LOVED the cake part. Rio and Romey both spit it out. Jamp didn't mind. More for him!

the frosting remnants

He also enjoyed the night off since it was cold, windy, and pouring rain all evening. Not a bad birthday if you ask me!
I shall leave you with a collage of the day we first met in Hungary.

Happy Birthday Jampy!!!